What happened: Will Smith is completely shut down, doing no hitting, catching or throwing for at least a week, manager Dave Roberts said. The three-time All-Star has already missed five weeks with an inflamed disk in his neck, and Roberts said the club does not know if he returns this season even as they are counting on it. That leaves Dalton Rushing as the Dodgers' only established catcher heading into August.
Why it matters: The uncertainty complicates the Dodgers' plans for the Aug. 3 trade deadline, since few catchers offer Smith's offensive profile at the position. A deal for a catcher of Adley Rutschman's caliber would also raise a roster question if Smith returns as expected. Without a trade, Kyle Tucker and Mookie Betts would need to keep carrying the lineup around a thinner group behind the plate.
By the numbers: Smith holds a career .826 OPS overall but a .928 mark in high-leverage innings when the Dodgers are tied, ahead by one or facing a tying run late in games.
What to watch: Watch how the Dodgers address catching depth before the Aug. 3 deadline and for any update on Smith's ramp-up progress.